Medea
Jason's new (if brief) father-in-law
Who is King Creon?
"Medea, greeting! This is the best introduction of which men know for conversation between friends."
Who is Aegeus?
A hero's fatal flaw, or mistake that causes their downfall.
What is hamartia?
The goddess of wisdom and war strategy, she was born fully grown from Zeus’s head.
Who is Athena?
An attempt to explain natural phenomena while maintaining a sense of awe
What is the second function?
The setting of our story.
What is the front of Medea's house?
“I am afraid of you-- why should I dissemble it?--"
Who is King Creon?
The downfall of a basically good person through some fatal error or misjudgment, producing suffering and insight on the part of the protagonist
What is a tragedy?
Although he was the god of war, this Olympian was often humiliated in myths, including being trapped in a bronze net with Aphrodite.
Who is Ares?
Elements from mythology that explain the origin of certain customs/norms in a society
What is the 3rd function?
The beautiful, yet deadly gifts that the princess received (as well as their hidden features).
What is a diadem (that burns her) and a gown/dress (that traps/stabs her body)?
"Of all things which are living and can form a judgement we women are the most unfortunate creatures."
Who is Medea?
A moment of clairvoyant insight or understanding in the mind of a tragic hero, as they suddenly comprehend the web of fate in which they’re entangled but are now powerless to stop.
What is anagnorisis?
Though not born on Mount Olympus, this god of fire and metalworking was cast out by Hera for his deformity but later crafted weapons for the gods.
Who is Hephaestus?
The final scene of the play that sums up everything and delivers the moral
What is exodus?
Another one of Medea's victims that she killed for the sake of Jason (on their way to Corinth).
Who is King Pelias?
"She's a strange woman. I know it won't be easy to make an enemy of her and come off best."
Who is the Nurse?
You thought you hit rock bottom, but then it gets even worse! An extreme reversal of fortune, indeed!
What is peripeteia?
Though often overshadowed by her husband, this goddess of marriage once punished Echo for distracting her while she tried to catch Zeus cheating.
Who is Hera?
The play occurs in a single place and does not change setting (and the stage represents that one place)
What is unity of place?
This person remarks on how life is too short, like a shadow.
Who is the Messenger?
"Oh wretched one, how has it come, this heavy anger on your heat, this cruel bloody mind?"
Who is the Chorus?
"That sucks for ____'s character, I truly pity them. I hope nothing like that ever happens to me...I'm really glad it hasn't...!"
What is catharsis?
The person who gave Medea her sweet, sweet ride (to escape Corinth).
Who is Helios?
In between the episodes, the chorus sings a lyric poem that guides the audience’s understanding of what they are seeing. It also consists of two alternating parts.
What is the stasimon, strophe, and antistrophe?